CHELSEA star Didier Drogba today told the Toon Army: “You have one hell of a player on your hands in Cheik Tiote.”

And in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, Drogba has tipped Newcastle United’s midfield dynamo to go on and be a Premier League legend.

The words of the Ivory Coast World Cup ace – who drew a blank in the 1-1 draw at Gallowgate – are praise indeed for the 24-year-old, with the usually evasive Drogba not someone who would normally bask in the media limelight.

But Drogba made his feelings clear before leaving Tyneside and said: “Cheik is a very good player, he played very well against us at St James’ Park and did well for his team.

“For the Ivory Coast he is a very important player for us as people saw in the World Cup for our national team.

“I think Newcastle United supporters have only seen half of his potential so far.

“You have only seen half the player.

“I say that because the more he plays in the Premier League at first-team level the better he will become.”

Tiote was desperate to face his idol Michael Essien yesterday, but the Stamford Bridge man was suspended.

The ex-FC Twente player picked up man of the match honours again on his own return from the sin bin.

Now Drogba, who has won 10 medals since arriving on the Premier League scene six years ago, thinks there were will be much more to come.

He said: “I think he is going to go on and be one of the strongest players in this league.

“I have to say that physically he is a bit stronger than me.

“And that means he will a lot better for it.

“Newcastle well and truly have a star player on their hands and the fans should be pleased.”

Drogba was satisfied with a point for the champions at St James’, but Newcastle fans were sweating when he rattled the ball past Tim Krul late on.

Drogba explained why it had not stood, he said: “The goal was a handball.

“I wasn’t fouled but the reason I was disappointed was because two minutes before there was an action when I tried to cross and the defender touched it with his hand.

“But he didn’t give it, so that’s why I disappointed.

“We created a lot of chances.

“The problem was Newcastle scored so early in the game.

“Then we had to chase and it means you leave more space and you create more fatigue.

“That then makes it difficult to create the opportunities you do get.”